How sustainability and minimalism fit together

A few days ago, while watching a video about sustainability on YouTube, videos about minimalism were automatically suggested to me on the right side of the screen. This piqued my curiosity, and I wondered if and to what extent the two topics are related. Do minimalism and sustainability essentially mean the same thing? Is one a prerequisite for the other? Or are they actually two completely independent concepts?

First, I would like to define both terms to get a clearer overview. Of course, I have – like I think most people do – a rough idea of ​​what both sustainability and minimalism mean, but I still find it interesting to know what z.B. the Duden says about it.

sustainability

1. long-lasting effect
2. 1. (Forestry) forestry principle according to which no more wood may be felled than can grow back
   2. (Ecology) Principle according to which no more may be consumed than can grow back, regenerate, and be made available again in the future

That sounds plausible to me and pretty much matches my understanding of the term. Incidentally—fun fact—this term has been in the German spelling dictionary since 1915.
And how is minimalism defined according to Duden?

Minimalism

1. conscious limitation to a minimum, to the bare essentials

Here, the definition seems a bit more vague. I'm missing an explanation of what is meant by "bare necessities" and which areas of life the definition applies to. Hasn't minimalism also become a kind of interior design style by now?

For me personally, minimalism doesn't necessarily mean getting by with as little as possible, but rather living with the things you really like and use.

What does one have to do with the other?

We all know the pleasant feeling that comes with buying something new. Whether it's as a reward after a stressful time at work, as a frustration purchase when everything feels like it's going wrong, or simply because you're really in the mood. It just feels good to treat yourself.

Often, we don't even care about what exactly we're buying and what groundbreaking difference this material item will (or won't) make in our lives. Rather, we're looking for the feelings of joy and satisfaction that the purchase brings us.

In my opinion, both sustainability and minimalism are not just about buying less (unnecessary) stuff, but also about appreciating the material wealth we already have in our lives. By buying less new things, we can also invest more in the things we do eventually buy.

This beautifully demonstrates the interplay of sustainability and minimalism: When I buy lessthat I do not necessarily need, and have more money left over for what I really need, then I have the opportunity to invest in higher quality and durable, long-lasting and sustainable products to invest.

This makes my possessions both more important and less important to me: less important because I no longer define myself and my success by my material achievements. More important because I am more grateful for the things I own, appreciate them more, and enjoy them more.

What does this mean for me?

For me, sustainability and minimalism go hand in hand. Living a minimalist lifestyle is more sustainable, and sustainability is easier to implement through minimalism. However, the two concepts are separate, and not everyone who pursues a minimalist lifestyle lives sustainably—and vice versa.

Perhaps it's enough to start by simply thinking more about your own consumption. Is this purchase worthwhile? Do I really need the tenth handbag, or are the nine I already have enough? Is it better to buy new pants three times a year, which will wear out after a few wears, or should I buy them once a year? one Why not invest in trousers that are more expensive but are fairly produced and made from high-quality materials, thus lasting longer?

Of course, everyone has to decide for themselves how important sustainability and/or minimalism are to them. And you don't have to change your entire lifestyle overnight. But I see questioning yourself and your own decisions more often as a great start to engaging more with the topics of minimalism and sustainability.

If you would like to learn more about sustainability, mindfulness or healthy eating, take a look here over.

Photo by Jake Melara on Unsplash